Potassium carbonate poisoning

Potassium carbonate is a white powder used to make soap, glass, and other items. This article discusses poisoning from swallowing or breathing in potassium carbonate.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or alocal poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Poisonous Ingredient

Potassium carbonate

Where Found

Glass

Some dishwasher soaps

Some forms of potash

Some home permanent-wave solutions

Some soft soaps

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain - severe

Blood pressure rapidly drops

Breathing difficulties due to swelling of the throat

Collapse

Diarrhea

Mouth pain - severe

Throat pain - severe

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. DO NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a health care professional.

If the chemical is on the skin or in the eyes, flush with lots of water for at least 15 minutes.

If the chemical was swallowed, immediately give the person water or milk, unless instructed otherwise by a health care provider. DO NOT give water or milk if the patient is having symptoms (such as vomiting, convulsions, or a decreased level of alertness) that make it hard to swallow.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

The patients age, weight, and condition

The name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)

The time it was swallowed

The amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

In the United States, call 1-800-222-1222 to speak with a local poison control center. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patients vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

Fluids by IV

Endoscopy -- camera down the throat to see burns in the esophagus and the stomach

Oxygen

Expectations (prognosis)

How well a patient does depends on the amount of poison swallowed and how quickly treatment was received. The faster a patient gets medical help, the better the chance for recovery.

Damage to the esophagus and stomach continues to occur for several weeks after the poison was swallowed. Death may occur.